Bend OR vs North Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Bend
2.8%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 12.2% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 39.1% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 3.5% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 12.8% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Bend, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $62,789 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $35,740 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $54,550 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 15.5% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 28.0% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 48.5% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Bend, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 35.2% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.2% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.5% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 15.3% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.8% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.3% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Bend, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 26.8 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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